New Delhi marked a historic moment in artificial intelligence governance as the India AI Impact Summit 2026 concluded with the adoption of the New Delhi Declaration. Signed by representatives from 88 countries and international organizations, this landmark document symbolizes a unified global commitment to harnessing AI for humanity’s benefit.
Guided by the timeless Indian principle of ‘Sarva Jan Hitaya, Sarva Jan Sukhaya’—welfare and happiness for all—the declaration emphasizes people-centric AI development. It underscores the need for international collaboration while respecting national sovereignty and building accessible, trustworthy frameworks.
The declaration is built around seven foundational pillars: democratizing AI resources, driving economic growth and social good, ensuring safe and reliable AI, advancing science through AI, enabling social empowerment via access, developing human capital, and fostering robust, efficient, innovative AI systems.
Key highlights include AI’s transformative role in economies, the push for open-source ecosystems, energy-efficient infrastructure, and expanded applications in science, governance, and public services. The document stresses global cooperation to maximize AI’s potential.
‘Robust digital infrastructure and affordable connectivity are essential to unlock AI’s full capabilities,’ it states. Drawing from ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’—the world is one family—the declaration advocates for efficient AI resource access, empowering all nations to develop, adopt, and utilize AI for their citizens.
Positioned as a voluntary, non-binding framework, the charter promotes basic AI resource access, supports local innovation, strengthens ecosystems while honoring national laws, and aims to extend advanced technology and economic benefits to every societal segment worldwide.
It also addresses removing structural barriers in AI research infrastructure to boost scientific R&D, with international collaboration unlocking expertise, perspectives, and resources for groundbreaking advancements.